Stroke Center
On average, every four minutes someone dies of stroke.
Stroke can be caused by:
- a clot obstructing blood flow to the brain (ischemic stroke)
- a blood vessel rupturing and preventing blood flow to the brain (hemorrhagic stroke)
- a temporary clot called a TIA (transient ischemic attack), or “mini stroke.”
When a stroke occurs, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it begins to die. Brain function, future abilities and life itself are threatened every minute a stroke goes untreated.
The Good News
Sacred Heart is a Certified Primary Stroke Center. The hospital has earned a Gold Performance Achievement Award from the American Stroke Association. And it offers the most extensive stroke treatment options, including:
- A clot-busting medicine that is administered intravenously.
- An intra-arterial (IA) procedure that attacks blood clots in the brain.*
- A MERCI coil procedure that can pull a clot out of the brain up to eight hours after the onset of a stroke.*
*Only available in this area at Sacred Heart Hospital
What Can You Do To Prevent Stroke?
The risk factors for stroke can be divided into two categories: those you can’t change and those you can.
What you can’t control
- Age – your chances of stroke go up as you age
- Gender – men have a slightly higher risk than women
- Family history – if your immediate family member has had a stroke, your risk increases
What you can control
- Get your blood pressure and cholesterol under control
- Reduce the amount of salt and fat in your diet
- Exercise more
- Stop smoking
- Keep your weight in control
- Limit alcohol use
The best way to prevent stroke is to know your risk factors and how to manage them.
Take our 7-minute StrokeAware assessment now and find out where you stand.
